Abstract:
Systems and methods for three dimensional lithography, nano-indentation, and combinations thereof are disclosed. One exemplary three dimensional lithography method, among others, includes: providing a substrate having at least one optical element, wherein the optical element is selected from a refractive element and a diffractive element; disposing a polymer layer on the substrate and the at least one optical element, wherein the polymer layer includes a polymer material selected from a positive-tone polymer material and a negative-tone polymer material; positioning a mask adjacent the polymer layer, wherein the mask does not cover at least one directly exposed portion of the polymer material directly overlaying the at least one element; and exposing the at least one directly exposed portion of the polymer material to optical energy, wherein the optical energy passes through the at least one directly exposed portion of the polymer material and interacts with the element, and the element redirects the optical energy through the polymer material forming at least one area of indirectly exposed polymer material.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating optical MEMS (optical Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems or Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS)) is described. The basic process involves deposition and patterning of a sacrificial spacer layer and a combined moulding and photolithography step. The method described allows the fabrication of micromechanical elements incorporating micro-optical structures such as lenses (diffractive or refractive), gratings (for polarisers or resonant filters), waveguides or other micro-optical relief structures fabricated by UV-curing replication processes.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating optical MEMS (optical Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems or Micro-Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS)) is described. The basic process involves deposition and patterning of a sacrificial spacer layer and a combined moulding and photolithography step. The method described allows the fabrication of micromechanical elements incorporating micro-optical structures such as lenses (diffractive or refractive), gratings (for polarisers or resonant filters), waveguides or other micro-optical relief structures fabricated by UV-curing replication processes.
Abstract:
A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.
Abstract:
A method of fine-pattern formation in which in forming a pattern, a fine pattern formed in a mold can be transferred to a pattering material in a short time at a low temperature and low pressure and, after the transfer of the fine pattern to the patterning material, the fine pattern formed in the patterning material does not readily deform. The method for fine-pattern formation comprises: a first step in which a mold having a fine structure with recesses/protrusions is pressed against a pattering material comprising a polysilane; a second step in which the patterning material is irradiated with ultraviolet to photooxidize the patterning material; a third in which the pressing of the mold against the patterning material is relieved and the mold is drawn from the pattering material; and a fourth step in which that surface of the patterning material to which the fine pattern has been transferred is irradiated with an oxygen plasma to oxidize the surface.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with a composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. The method includes depositing the composition to function as a planarization layer. Thereafter, a layer of polymerizable material into which a pattern is to be recorded is deposited.
Abstract:
A method for forming a free standing micro-structural member including providing a substrate; blanket depositing a first sacrificial resist layer over the substrate; exposing and developing the first sacrificial resist layer to form a first resist portion; subjecting the first resist portion to at least a hard bake process to form the first resist portion having a predetermined first smaller volume compared to a desired final resist portion volume; blanket depositing at least a second sacrificial resist layer followed by exposure, development and the at least a hard bake process to form the final resist portion volume; and, depositing at least one structural material layer over the final resist portion.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a composition and a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with the composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. To that end, in one embodiment of the present invention the composition includes a non-silicon-containing acrylate component, and an initiator component combined with said non-silicon-containing acrylate to provide a viscosity no greater than 5 cps. The initiator component is responsive to radiation to initiate a free radical reaction and cause the non-silicon containing acrylate component to polymerize and cross-link. One embodiment of the non-silicon-containing acrylate component includes ethylene glycol diacrylate. The method includes depositing the composition to function as a planarization layer. Thereafter, a layer of polymerizable material into which a pattern is to be recorded is deposited.
Abstract:
A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.
Abstract:
There is provided a process for making a patterned metal oxide structure comprising the step of heating an imprint structure comprising a polymerized organometallic compound to remove organic material and thereby form the patterned metal oxide structure, wherein the imprint structure is formed by polymerizing a resist mixture comprising at least one olefinic polymerizable compound and a polymerizable organometallic compound having, e.g., at least one carboxylate of Formula 1: wherein n is 1-12; and each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloakyl, cycloakenyl, aryl, and aralkyl.